Disneyland Park, California

Disneyland Park opened in 1955, and is one of the top family vacation destinations in the entire world. This park has served as the model for hundreds of other similar destinations that have since sprung up around the world. It is the flagship of what has become a huge brand. Today, there is the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, which is the most visited theme park in the world; the Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan; Disneyland Paris in France; and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Disneyland Resort in China. There is also the Disney Cruise Line with two ships that sail the Caribbean and a number of other ventures, including the Disney Vacation Club which offers timeshares and vacation rentals at all of its resorts. It was not the first or last amusement park to offer entertainment, recreation, and thrilling rides to the public, but it is Disneyland (with its “happiest place on earth” motto) that began the trend—and it is the only one in the international brand to be designed and built with the direct hands-on control of Walt Disney himself.

The Disneyland theme park is divided into several different “lands,” each of which boasts its own signature attractions and atmosphere. These areas of Disneyland include Main Street USA, Adventureland, New Orleans Square, Frontierland, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Mickey’s Toontown, and Tomorrowland. Additionally, there is the adjacent Downtown Disney District, a shopping, entertainment, and dining area; and another, newer theme park called the California Adventure Park that is also adjacent. While the name of each area pretty much describes the kind of atmosphere to expect, you will find a wide variety of rides, attractions, dining, and shopping to appeal to all ages in each area.

Main Street is designed like a small Midwest Victorian town and boasts the audio-animatronic Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show. Adventureland evokes exotic far off places and boasts the Indiana Jones Adventure. Head to New Orleans Square to experience the Pirates of the Caribbean. The Space Mountain Roller Coaster in Tomorrowland is for those with a desire for thrills and the iconic Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride is for younger children in Fantasyland. If you’re in the mood for a little water, you will enjoy Splash Mountain, an elaborate waterslide flume complex with several Hidden Mickeys.

You can rest your feet on the Disney railroads and monorails and catch a ride to a number of different areas and attractions. Everywhere throughout the Disneyland Theme Park are the princesses and beloved cartoon characters that made the Disney brand famous. You might be dining in one of the restaurants and find that Donald Duck or Goofy is your waiter. You can have you picture taken with Sleeping Beauty in front of her castle, or any other number of Disney characters throughout the park. In addition to extravagant celebrations during special holidays, you can enjoy parades and fireworks displays just about every day of the year.

Disneyland Park is located in the city of Anaheim, a southern suburb of Los Angeles in California. Its location fits the criteria that Walt Disney originally set—it must be in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area and must be easily accessible by freeways. This means that after your flights bring you into one of the area airports, car rentals can get you quickly to the park and to all the Anaheim hotels in the vicinity.

The History of Disneyland, California

Disneyland history began with Walt Disney’s dream of a place where parents could bring their children and have fun together as a family. He had received letters from people wanting to visit Disney Studios in Burbank, and the facts about Disneyland include original plans to locate his fun park next to the studio so employees could bring their children, and visitors from the public could tour the studio. But he realized that the studio might interest adults, and not their children. So he needed another site, eventually settling on the suburb of Anaheim because it was within the Los Angeles metropolitan area and easily accessible by freeway. The official Disneyland history timeline began in 1953 with the purchase of an Anaheim orange grove, and construction began on what would become Disneyland Park in 1954.

One of the facts about Disneyland that may surprise many is the difficulty Walt Disney experienced in trying to fund his dream project. He looked to a novel new form of entertainment—television—and created the show Disneyland, which would eventually become the Wonderful World of Color series that many baby boomers grew up with. The television network (ABC) helped to finance the project. Stores and other shopping venues were located throughout the various areas of Disneyland (especially Main Street USA). These were primarily owned and operated by other companies, and this also helped in the initial funding.

The physical Disneyland history began with groundbreaking and construction in 1954. The park opened in July of 1955, only a year later. At the time, there were only twenty attractions. Today, the Disneyland rides and attractions total nearly 60—and that’s not including the rides and attractions at adjacent the California Adventure Park or the entertainment venues in the Downtown Disney District. Disney’s Hollywood friends in attendance included Ronald Reagan, Art Linkletter, and Bob Cummings. It was the first of many events to mark Disneyland history, and it was broadcast live on television.

Disneyland's history included a healthy dose of Cold War politics in the early years, when Soviet Premier Nikita Khruschev was not granted his wish to visit the park in 1959. In the early 1960s, the Shah of Iran (then a United States ally) and his wife the Empress Farah were invited. Walt Disney and the Shah rode the Matterhorn roller coaster together, and that video is still available. Disney famously said that “Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world.” He wasn’t too excited about creating Tomorrowland because he thought it would be outdated by the time it was completed, but the goal to keep the park updated and fresh has become a focus here. Disneyland history is filled with what amounts to almost constant remodeling, updating, and expansion. In 1963, the Enchanted Tiki Room was opened, and was the first to feature audio-animatronics.

More facts about Disneyland include the 1982 change from books full of attraction tickets to the Passport, which was valid for unlimited rides during a certain time period—usually a full day. In 1999, the Fastpass was introduced. In 2001, the Downtown Disney District, Disney’s California Adventure, and the Grand Californian Hotel were opened, completing the transition from a one-park property with a single hotel into one of the most popular resorts in the world. In 2004, a visitor from Australia became the 500-millionth guest.

Restaurants in Disneyland, California

Disneyland restaurants offer a wide variety of cuisines and experiences. The food at Disneyland ranges from quick snacks and burgers to gourmet Disneyland dining and themed restaurants. The kids can dine with princesses and characters and the adults can enjoy a glass of fine Napa Valley wine in the Mendocino Terrace at the California Adventure Park. There is Mexican and Asian food, Cajun cuisine, and California fusion. There are also fine dining venues and steakhouses, and just about everything else you can imagine. For adults who want fine dining and a night out without the children, the Disneyland hotels offer in-room child care.

Disneyland restaurants within the Disneyland Park itself do not serve alcoholic beverages, in keeping with its long-standing family-oriented reputation. However, alcohol is available in many different types of bars and lounges at the California Adventure Park and in the Downtown Disney District, as well as the many hotels and resorts within the parks and in the surrounding Anaheim hotels. The drinking age is 21. There is Disneyland dining at the places serving alcoholic beverages, so you can get everything from appetizers and snacks to light California fusion cuisine.

There are venues for healthy food at Disneyland as well as ice cream shops. There are take away places (some of which can provide you with a gourmet picnic), and table service meals. There are more than 70 different places to get food of some sort, so your choices are wide. Vegetarians will have no problems finding delicious food at Disneyland at just about all of the choices. Meat lovers will find steak houses and gourmet wieners and sausages.

If you’re enjoying family vacations and want your Disneyland dining to thrill the children in your group, seek out the venues that offer character dining. Meet Disney princesses at Ariel’s Grotto in the California Adventure Park. At Disney’s PCH (short for Pacific Coast Highway) Grill, the children will be served by Mickey or one of his character friends, including Goofy and Donald Duck. The PCH Grill is conveniently located in the Paradise Pier Hotel, which offers a princesses and characters theme along with many of the facilities of a resort.

Several Disneyland restaurants take you to an entirely different time and place. Inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at California Adventure is the Blue Bayou, serving Creole and Cajun style cuisine amidst the twinkling of fireflies and the sounds of bayou crickets and frogs. Or you can dine amidst a lush rainforest atmosphere at the Rainforest Café, which also boasts an entire shopping village.

You can enjoy your food at Disneyland as part of vacation packages. Although these vacation packages are available only through the Walt Disney Travel Company, that company does sell through a large international network of travel agents and tour operators. The dining plans that can be included offer the choice of one to fifteen meals per person. These are available at different venues throughout the entire Disney Resort at both the California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park, and includes restaurants located in the resort hotels. Reservations for dinner at many of the more popular restaurants are recommended.

Disneyland Shows

Disneyland shows 2011 are apt to happen on any day, in any place, and offer a wide variety to spark the interest of just about anyone. At the top of the list for many are the magical fireworks displays that burst behind the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Park virtually every evening during the summer and on special holidays like Halloween and New Year’s Eve. This iconic Disneyland entertainment that was featured on the opening shots of the Wonderful World of Color television series is part of the history of the theme park. It’s been enjoyed by children and adults of all ages since 1956, a year after the park opened.

Another popular pyrotechnic Disneyland light show is Fantasmic!, which is held on and around the Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island in Frontierland. The show is led by Mickey Mouse himself, and is inspired by the classic film Fantasia. If you like, you can enjoy this Disneyland light show while dining on a dessert sampler near the Café Orleans. To get tickets for this prime seating, you need to call ahead to make reservations.

A newer but equally spectacular Disneyland light show is The World of Color that is held in the California Adventure Park. There are several dining packages that include dinner and the show available at 5:00 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. each evening. These are available in several venues, including the Napa Valley Wine Country Trattoria. You can enjoy the show and cocktails at Ariels Grotto, snacks in Paradise Bay, or order a picnic that comes with reserved seating.

Parades comprise more of the traditional Disneyland entertainment that happens with regularity. These have been going on in Disneyland Park just about as long as the fireworks displays. There are floats, bands, street performers, and the beloved princesses and characters that are the trademark of the Disney brand. Another of the Disneyland shows is the daily parade that occurs in the California Adventure Park, featuring Pixar characters from films like The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc., Ratatouille, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, and the perennial favorite Toy Story. Be aware that you might get squirted with water during this extravaganza.

While most of the traditional Disneyland entertainment has been geared towards children, it has also been designed to fulfill Walt Disney’s original dream of a magical place that families can enjoy together. And because many adults grew up loving the Disney television show, the movies, and all the characters, it is sometimes difficult to tell who is enjoying the entertainment more—adults or children. However, there are some 2011 Disneyland shows that are decidedly more adult-oriented than others. These will be found in the venues of the Downtown Disney District that serve alcoholic beverages and provide live entertainment. Look especially for the legendary House of Blues and Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, where you are apt to be entertained by internationally known headliners. You can also watch the best sports games at the ESPN Sports Zone and watch the latest film releases at 12 AMC Theaters.

Disneyland Events and Festivals

Disneyland events occur throughout the year, with the most notable happening during holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and July Fourth. These times of year all offer festivities that include colorful parades, fireworks, twinkling lights, fabulous costumes, and extravagant seasonal decorations. However, special events take place almost every day at this theme park, whether they are park-wide events such as the nightly fireworks or daily parades, or more personal events that you can schedule for your group any time of year such as a wedding.

Disneyland New Years Eve is a particularly festive time of year, with the most spectacular fireworks of the entire year. All the dining spots get into the act with special menus, and the spirit of the holiday colors everything. Check both the Disneyland special events calendar as well as different hotels, many of which offer vacation packages during holiday periods.

But you do not need to plan your vacations around these limited holidays. Every day is an occasion here at the “happiest place on earth,” with fireworks displays, parades, and other entertainment offered almost daily. Once you have made your arrangements, check the Disneyland special events calendar for what will be going on during your visit. And all the entertainment is not just for children. Disneyland events in the Downtown Disney District (where alcoholic beverages are served) include the legendary House of Blues, with its signature Gospel Brunch, and Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen. While these are geared primarily for the adults in your group, there are plenty of special shows and entertainment for children.

You don’t really need the Disneyland special events calendar for many special events, as they are held regularly. The fireworks over Sleeping Beauty’s Disneyland Castle are the most iconic, held every evening throughout the summer and on holidays. The show changes with the seasons, and there are special displays for certain holidays. The Disney princesses and characters, beloved by generations of children around the world, can be seen parading and performing throughout the resort. Some Disneyland shows, like the nighttime spectacular World of Color lagoon show held at the California Adventure Park, have periodic extra performances open only to annual pass holders. These people have the opportunity to present their annual pass for a Fastpass in the evening, instead of first thing in the morning. They can then attend the show and additionally have exclusive use of some attractions. Watch as more than 1,200 fountains spurt water more than 200-feet high—a spectacular to rival the famous Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas.

Some Disneyland events can celebrate very personal occasions, such as a Quinceanera, the gala celebration of a girl’s fifteenth birthday that is a tradition throughout many parts of Latin America. This is an elaborate affair that is comparable to a Bat Mitvah or Sweet Sixteen birthday party in other cultures. The park offers Quinceanera vacation packages that include a two-night or longer stay at one of the Disneyland hotels, lunch with Disney princesses at Ariel’s Grotto, and much more. Fairytale weddings are also popular, and there are vacation packages for these more sophisticated events. Make your arrangements in advance for family reunion picnics, graduation night festivities, and any other special occasion. You can book a princess for the special occasion, a sophisticated wedding and reception venue, or any number of characters including Mickey himself.

Disneyland Flights

Disneyland flights will usually take you into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) if you are coming from any considerable distance away. If you are coming from a foreign country, this is undoubtedly where you will first land. This is also true if you are coming from the East Coast of the United States. Numerous Disneyland flight and hotel packages are offered into this facility, both by DIsneyland hotels themselves as well as many different travel agents and tour operators around the world. Check into the booking tool right on this page to help you find great deals on hotels, vacation packages, flights, and more.

LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world. It is located a bit south of Los Angeles city center, and the freeways that lead to Disneyland Park (I-405, I-105, and I-5) have some of the heaviest traffic in the metropolitan area. It is possible to catch Disneyland flights into one of the other airports in the area in order to avoid this traffic. Even flying into San Diego can possibly save on commuting time. It is only a couple driving hours away; it is possible to spend up to four hours in traffic getting from LAX to Anaheim during the peak commuting hours.

You can look for Disneyland flight and hotel packages that fly into San Diego or into a few other southern California airports. These include Burbank Bob Hope International Airport, the Ontario International Airport (near the resort area of Palm Springs), the Palm Springs Airport itself, John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, and Long Beach Airport (the closest major facility to Anaheim). Some operators will offer flight and hotel packages that stay in more than one place, including a night or two at Disneyland, so you can build an entire southern California vacation.

Disneyland flight and hotel packages that stay in one of the Disney resorts are available only from the Disney Vacation Club. However, these are marketed through an extensive network of national and international travel agents and tours operators, so you can purchase them from just about anywhere in the world. The resort hotels include the Grand Californian Hotel located in the California Adventure Park, the Disneyland Hotel, and Paradise Pier Hotel in the Downtown Disney District. Guests have complimentary access to all the hotel facilities, including the fitness center and recreational facilities. These properties located only steps away from the theme parks are understandably more expensive. Disney also offers vacation packages staying at less expensive hotels in the surrounding Anaheim area, which are still very close.

When you combine your Disneyland flights with various packages, park admission tickets are invariably included. The tickets usually include same-day admission to both Disneyland and the California Adventure Park, as well as theme park tickets for various rides and attractions. Other features might also include a Magic Morning early admission, providing an opportunity to interact with the iconic princesses and characters before the general public is allowed in and preferred seating at many of the California Adventure Park shows. There are various other promotions offered throughout the year, including extra benefits for stay of a certain length and packages for weddings and other special events. You can even schedule a welcoming phone call from the Disney character of your choice to delight the children in your group.

Things to do in Disneyland, California

Things to do in Disneyland consist of all the things you might normally expect of a world-class theme park, beginning first and foremost with the famed Disneyland rides and the iconic Disney princesses and characters that have been loved by generations of children. For visitors young and old, this theme park has things to do for everyone who walks through its gates.

Dining

Even dining here is can be an event, whether you’re a child delighting in sharing the table with one of the beloved princesses and characters or an adult swinging to jazz at the House of Blues. You can experience the famous Cajun and Creole cuisine of New Orleans at the Blue Bayou restaurant in the Pirates of the Caribbean area. There is exclusive gourmet dining and places that will pack the picnic of your choice. Even casual snack places are not run of the mill, and some of the most popular Disneyland attractions are the dining spots.

Events

Things to do in Disneyland that are almost unavoidable include enjoying the many events that occur throughout both theme parks and the Downtown Disney District with virtual daily regularity. Possibly the most famous of these events are the iconic fireworks displays that have been held since the park first opened. The explosions of color behind the Sleeping Beauty Disneyland Castle happen each evening throughout the summer as well as on other holidays like New Years Eve. There are also parades happening pretty much every day throughout the year.

Rides

The Disneyland attractions that thrill are among the most popular. Little children will enjoy the Alice ride and the Disneyland Railroads. Older children and adults will thrill to the California Screamin’ roller coaster and Splash Mountain (be aware that you will probably get wet on this one). There are themed rides that take you on journeys into some of the most popular family movies, including Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride and Indiana Jones Adventure.

Tours

First time visitors who may not be familiar with all the Disneyland attractions or the parks’ layout can benefit from guided tours, especially if their vacations will last two or more days. There are several excellent tours available that can be included in vacation packages. They generally last from two to four hours, and offer everything from an introductory overview to a private in-depth VIP tour (four-hour minimum) with a personal VIP tour guide. Tours are available in both Disneyland Park and the California Adventure Park.

Shopping

Another of the popular things to do in Disneyland is shop, and shopping can be as much of an event as dining. There are wonderful souvenir and themed items to buy that go beyond the typical. Of course, there are logo mugs, tee shirts, and Mickey Mouse ears, but there are high-end fashion boutiques and even a sophisticated gallery with one-of-a-kind museum quality pieces.

Shows

Parades and fireworks can certainly be considered shows, but other Disneyland attractions include light and water shows held in various areas of Disneyland and the California Adventure Park. Try Fantasmic! Inspired by the film Fantasia, which is held in the Rivers of America or the World of Color in the California Adventure Park. There are also live musical shows in both parks and the Downtown Disney District, and international music headliners are featured at the House of Blues and Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen.

Weddings

You may think a place beloved by children around the world is not exactly the kind of place for a sophisticated grown-up wedding, but you would be wrong. There are both elegant and fanciful venues for the ceremony, from the gardens of the Disneyland Hotel to the Sleeping Beauty Castle. The Grand Californian Hotel and the Paradise Pier Hotel also offer wedding and reception venues. There are professional wedding planners on staff, and all these hotels have accommodations that cater to romantic couples on honeymoons. In this day of blended families, one of the things to do in Disneyland is more and more often getting hitched and enjoying the honeymoon with the children. There are in-room child care options available so adults can enjoy a night out alone, and the resorts hotels offer supervised child programs.